Notes

The Doctor and Donna visit Pompeii

The Doctor and his new companion Donna are set to travel back in time to the Roman Empire for the fourth series of Doctor Who, the BAFTA award-winning drama which will transmit on BBC One in spring 2008.

In one of the most ambitious episodes to date, the Doctor, played by David Tennant, and Donna (Catherine Tate) arrive in Pompeii in AD 79, on the eve of the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Time Lord and his companion are posed with an immediate dilemma – should they warn the residents of Pompeii of the forthcoming catastrophe or leave them to fend for themselves?

The Thick Of It actor Peter Capaldi guest stars as Caecillius and is joined by Quadrophenia and Rose And Maloney actor Phil Davis who stars as Lucius. Further guest stars include Howard's Way and Born And Bred actress Tracey Childs who plays Metella.

The filming of the episode took place at Cinecitta studios in Rome, which the Doctor Who team expertly transformed into Pompeii for a week of filming in September of this year.

Doctor Who's Executive Producer and Head Writer Russell T Davies says: "Arriving in Pompeii marks the start of another exciting adventure for the Doctor and Donna. Donna is stunned to find herself in the midst of history's most famous volcanic eruption.

"Viewers can expect many more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

The start of the new series will see Donna tracking down the Time Lord during an alien emergency in modern day London.

The couple are destined to experience a series of wonderful adventures throughout the new series including meeting one of Doctor Who's most popular aliens, The Ood, in a brand new episode, Planet Of The Ood.

Donna and the Doctor will also be travelling through time for an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist, Agatha Christie.

Award-winning actress Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride who featured in last year's Doctor Who Christmas special. Tate will star alongside David Tennant for the complete 13-week new season run.

Freema Agyeman who played Martha Jones, the Doctor's companion throughout the critically-acclaimed third series, will return to the show to join the Doctor and Donna mid-series.

The fourth series of Doctor Who is now in production and will hit BBC One in spring 2008.

The producer is Phil Collinson and executive producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.

BBC Press pack

The Doctor takes Donna into ancient history in episode two of series four of the BAFTA Award-winning drama Doctor Who on BBC One.

But when they arrive in 79 AD, they find psychic powers and beasts of stone running riot in the streets of old Pompeii.

The time-travellers face their greatest challenge yet – can established history be changed, or must The Doctor let everyone die?

The Thick Of It actor Peter Capaldi guest stars as Caecilius and is joined by Quadrophenia, Bleak House and Rose & Maloney actor Phil Davis who stars as Lucius.

Further guest stars include Howards' Way and Born And Bred actress Tracey Childs who plays Metella.

The filming of the episode took place at Cinecitta studios in Rome which the Doctor Who team expertly transformed into Pompeii for a week of filming in September 2007.

Doctor Who Executive Producer and Head Writer, Russell T Davies, comments: "Arriving in Pompeii marks the start of another exciting adventure for the Doctor and Donna. Donna is stunned to find herself in the midst of history's most famous volcanic eruption."

Award-winning actress Catherine Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride, and will star as The Doctor's companion throughout the new series alongside David Tennant as The Doctor.